Frequently Asked Questions on Waterjet Cutting

KMT answers your questions concerning Waterjet Cutting. Whether you want to cut metal, stone, composites, paper or any other material, waterjet can do it. Below, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about different materials to be cut. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at info@kmt-waterjet.com or via our online contact form.

FAQs - Waterjet Cutting of Metal

Assuming that warping and changes to the metal structure are not an issue, what is the thickness from which waterjet cutting becomes the most cost-effective option?Depending on the material, waterjet cutting should be considered as the most viable option from thicknesses of 5-8 mm (0.19"-0.31").

How fast can the material be cut?The cutting speed is determined by the following factors: intensifier pump pressure, efficiency of high pressure generation and cutting head configuration, material thickness and properties, desired cutting edge quality, orifice diameter, abrasive quantity and abrasive quality.

What is the maximum material thickness that can be cut with water jets?For metals, the maximum thickness is normally 150 mm (6"). Waterjet cutting has also been used in special applications where materials up to 400 mm (15.75") thickness are cut.

What about angle faults along the cut edge?Depending on the requirements as regards cutting edge quality, excellent angle accuracy can be achieved by adjusting the pump pressure, the abrasive flow rate and the cutting speed accordingly. There are also software-based guiding systems on the market that help optimize angular accuracy, by adjusting the angle of the abrasive cutting head.

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FAQs - Waterjet Cutting of Stone & Tiles

How fast can the material be cut? The cutting speed is determined by the following factors: pump pressure, efficiency of high pressure generation and cutting head configuration, material thickness and properties, desired cutting edge quality, orifice diameter, abrasive quantity and abrasive quality.

What is the maximum material thickness that can be cut with waterjets? With a thickness of approx. 25 cm (10") we recommend considering whether cutting with a cutting disc would be a more cost-effective alternative.

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FAQs - Waterjet Cutting of Composites

Will the various layers of the material become detached from each other during cutting?No, the material structure is not affected in any way, as the water jet is in contact with the layers for only a very short time.

What is the best cutting method for composite materials?This depends on the material properties. Composites of metals and other hard materials are best cut with abrasives. For soft composites, we recommend the pure water method.

At what pressures are composite materials cut?For soft composites, low operating pressures up to 55,000 PSI/3,800 bar are sufficient. Hard composites are cut at higher pressures of up to 90,000 PSI/6,200 bar.

What cutting speeds are used to cut composite materials?The cutting speed varies greatly, depending on the type of composite, the thickness of the material and the desired cutting quality. It is therefore not possible to make general statements about the cutting speed, as it must be determined on the basis of the actual application.